First Look: Springfield Armory Operator 1911 Pistol

Springfield’s new Operator 1911 pistol is a duty-grade full-size .45 with some subtle upgrades that help keep this old warhorse in the fight.

If laser guns ever became available for purchase, many Americans wouldn’t be interested unless they were single-action, all-steel and came with a .45 caliber diode. Even then, most would probably stick with their 1911. Over 110-years-old and counting, the 1911 isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, and lucky for those devoted to this old warhorse there are plenty of modern options to choose from. The newest of which is from Springfield Armory and is called the Operator 1911, and it’s a full-size .45 that stays true to the original design while incorporating small changes that better orient it for defensive use.

Same Old Quality

As one of the oldest and most iterated upon firearms designs, there’s much of the Operator 1911 that is standard, at least for a Springfield. The pistol uses forged steel for its frame and slide, and its 5-inch barrel is match-grade and constructed from forged stainless steel. It’s all held in place using a traditional-style barrel bushing, and the whole gun is finished in black Cerakote.

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New Features

The Springfield Operator 1911 also comes with some modernizations and upgrades to help keep it viable in the 21st century. Some of those changes include an ambidextrous safety, forward slide serrations and an accessory rail beneath the barrel for mounting a weapon light. The pistol also includes G10 VZ grips, a Tactical Rack rear and tritium front sight as well as two eight-round magazines with bumper pads.

The new Operator 1911 from Springfield is nothing earth-shattering, but it seems to be another solid option for those who choose to stick with a full-size .45 for self-defense. The Operator 1911 has an MSRP of $1,159 and is available now.

For more on Springfield Armory, please visit springfield-armory.com.

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